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I read this story yesterday and just had to write about it. In California, we have all seen the ads or the billboards that say "Slow for the Cone Zone." The new electronic billboards say something to the effect of "Slow or Move Over for Slow Vehicles." Apparently, the word is not getting out there.

Patch.com is reporting that the CHP is urging motorists to slow down. Why? Due to a series of accidents that have left CHP officers injured, Caltrans workers injured, and motorists injured. The story cites the numbers: "According to published reports, since September
16 four incidents, all of which were preventable, resulted in injuries to 15
persons" 15 injuries in 4 incidents is a lot!

So some safe driving tips for construction zones. First, slow down. This should be pretty easy, but a lot of people speed through construction zones. You don't know when a truck may pull out off of the side of the road or a Caltrans truck my pull off the road. You need to slow down. Second, put the cell phone down. That should be a no-brainer. Third, move over, if possible, and if safe. If you approach a construction zone, or if you see a construction vehicle, a Caltrans vehicle or a CHP vehicle on the shoulder, move over one lane. Get out of the way.

These three tips will make it so that we have fewer accidents in the Cone Zone. Lets all be safe when we are driving and lets make sure we make it safe for our CHP officers and Caltrans workers, who put themselves in danger every day.

I thought it would be good to go back to basics today. Most people hear insurance terms and just assume they know what those words mean. But a lot of words have a special meaning in the insurance context. So, here are 10 common terms and what they mean.

1.
THIRD PARTY CLAIMANT

A third party claimant is someone who presents a claim
against another person’s insurance policy. For example, if you are injured in a
car crash and make a claim, the other person’s insurance company calls you a
third party claimant.

2. TOTAL LOSSWhen the repair cost of the vehicle is more than 75% of the value of the
vehicle, a car is declared a total loss. The insurance company will not pay to
repair this vehicle.

3. ATTORNEY-REPRESENTED

A third party claimant who has retained an attorney. Third party
claimants who are attorney-represented usually have their claims handled by
more experienced adjusters.

4. COLOSSUS

A computer program that insurance companies use to determine
the value of a bodily injury claim. Insurance companies claim this allows them
to make sure that every claim is evaluated in the same way.

5. FIRST PARTY COVERAGE

The coverage provided by your insurance company to protect
your home or car from damage. Collision and comprehensive coverage are examples
of first party coverages.

6. LIABILITY COVERAGEThe coverage provided by your insurance company to protect you if you are
sued by another person and protect your assets if a claim is filed against you.
Car insurance and homeowners insurance
policies have liability coverage.

7. PREMIUMThe amount of money you pay to your insurance company in exchange for them
agreeing to pay you when you file a first party claim or defend you when
someone files a claim against your liability insurance policy.

8.UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE

A special first party coverage that will pay you for damage
caused by another person when the other person does not have insurance or when
the other person does not have auto liability limits that are the same as
yours. If you are in an accident with someone who has no insurance, your
uninsured motorist coverage pays for your damages.

9. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT (“SIU”)

A special department of the insurance company claims department
that investigates questionable or fraudulent claims. The SIU adjusters are
usually retired police officers. They use private investigators to conduct sub rosa,
also known as surveillance, on people who have filed claims that the insurance
company thinks are fraudulent.

10.MINIMUM LIMITS POLICY

A policy that provides the bare minimum amount of insurance
required by law. In California,
a minimum limits policy is called a 15/30 policy because the insurance company
will pay $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for injuries sustained as
a result of a car crash.

If you have a term that you are unsure of, make sure you ask an insurance professional. You can always email me at insurance@jonathangstein.com to ask!

Most people get in a car accident and have no idea what to do. You remember learning to exchange information. But, there is actually more you should do when you are involved in a car crash. Here are 5 tips to follow if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being in a car accident:

1.
PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

There is very little reason to leave your car in the middle
of the road after an accident. First, it is not safe. Second, it just creates
another hazard for the other drivers. If your car is driveable, move it to the
side of the road.

2. MAKE SURE NO ONE IS
HURTBefore you can do anything else, you must see if anyone is hurt. If someone
is hurt, do not move them. Call 911 and request an ambulance. Let the
professionals provide assistance and evaluate the injured people.

3. CALL THE POLICE

I know they do not always come, but you should call them. Make sure that
you tell them where the accident happened, and be specific.

4. TAKE PICTURES

Take pictures of everything. Take pictures of the accident
scene, any debris, skid marks, your car, the other person's car and any visible
injuries. You should always carry a disposable camera in your car for just this
very reason!

5. BE PLEASANT!

It doesn't matter if the other person hit you when you are
stopped. He feels bad about it already. Do not yell at him. Do not embarrass him.
Do not humiliate him. Be nice, for one day it may be you who causes an
accident.

No one ever wants to be involved in a car accident. However, taking these steps will make it a bit easier to deal with, will make sure you get the information you need, and will protect you. For more tips, email me for my report at auto@jonathangstein.com.

Everyone makes mistakes. We are human, after all. But when you are involved in a car accident, what I prefer to call a car crash, there are some mistakes that you can easily avoid. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid with your personal injury, slip and fall, car crash case:

1. DO NOT TALK TO THE OTHER
PERSON

Nothing good comes when the two parties talk. Just avoid this completely.
It will only lead to arguments and that does not help your case.

2. DO NOT LET THE INSURANCE
COMPANY DICTATE YOUR MEDICAL TREATMENT

Some adjusters will tell you how much treatment you should have. Let your
doctor dictate your treatment, not the insurance adjuster.

3.DO NOT MISS ANY DEADLINES

If you miss a legal deadline, your case may be over before
it starts. Do not miss a deadline by waiting too long. Some deadlines may be
very short. You need to know what deadlines apply to your case.

4. DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY

They are trained in negotiation skills. You, most likely,
are not. Do not negotiate with them until you know your rights.

5.DO NOT SETTLE WITHOUT TALKING TO AN ATTORNEY

The insurance company will not tell you what you are
entitled to recover. You need to talk to someone who knows what you are
entitled to under the law. Most attorneys will give a free consultation. It
costs you nothing but time. Do not settle with the insurance company until you
have received a free consultation.

I admit - none of these are rocket science. But simply not making these mistakes will make the difference between a good personal injury case and, maybe, no case at all.

DISCLAIMER

Notice

This blog is made available by the lawyer publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Jonathan G. Stein, is licensed to practice law in the state of California only.
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